We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Emerging Contaminants in Water: An Overview of Causes, Metrics, and Treatment Methods
Summary
This review defined emerging contaminants in water — including pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and endocrine disruptors — and surveyed the metrics used to assess them along with treatment technologies capable of their removal. It highlighted the gap between detection capabilities and treatment effectiveness for many contaminants.
Water pollution is a global issue that refers to the contamination of water bodies. The emergence of contaminants in Malaysian waters can be traced back to the rapid economic growth and industrialization that took place during the 20th century. The increase in industrial activities and urbanization led to the discharge of various pollutants into the country's rivers, lakes and coastal waters. Emerging contaminants are synthetic or naturally occurring compounds which were previously not recognized as environmental pollutants but have been recently identified as being present in the environment and are potentially harmful to human and ecological health. Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, microplastics, industrial chemicals and pesticides are some examples of emerging contaminants. The current chapter aims to provide an overview (i.e. causes, metrics and treatment methods) of the emerging contaminants in Malaysian waters.